Free-agent defensive tackle Christian Wilkins intends to play this coming season after sitting out the 2025 campaign while rehabbing a foot injury. He’s drawn interest from 26 NFL teams, his agent told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Wilkins, 30, was released by the Las Vegas Raiders before last season amid a dispute over his recovery plan after sustaining a Jones fracture in his left foot five games into the 2024 season. The Raiders believed Wilkins needed another surgery on the foot, but he resisted.
Citing a “failure to maintain is physical condition to play,” Las Vegas voided the remainder of the four-year, $110 million deal he signed (including $32.5 million in guaranteed money) after playing his first five seasons with the Miami Dolphins.
During his final year with Miami, Wilkins compiled 9 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 10 tackles for loss and 65 total tackles. He has 22.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles and 45 tackles for loss in six NFL seasons.